The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States – nonprofit leaders, policymakers, labor leaders, business leaders, educators, academics, and more – and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America.

Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for regular updates on our work.

Photo of a person carrying a placard supporting "Jobs, Justice, Clean Energy".
Blog Posts

How Infrastructure Investments Can Bring a Greener, More Equitable Future of Work

Let’s address decades of environmental injustices and prepare all people for a brighter future.

Engineering worker training
Blog Posts

Workforce Development Should Focus More on Fixing Work

Job quality and racial and gender inequities are systemic problems, and they need systemic solutions.

ebafund.org
Blog Posts

Entrepreneur Backed Assets Fund Welcomes Transformational $11.5 Million in Funding and $6 Million in Purchase Commitments

Funding will advance an emerging secondary market for community-based microlending for small businesses, filling a vital role in creating opportunity and equity in low-income communities.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, November 2021
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, November 2021

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

Job Quality Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions
Blog Posts

Job Quality Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Economic Opportunities Program’s Job Quality Fellowship.

Nominate a Leader for the Job Quality Fellowship Class of 2022-23
Blog Posts

Nominate a Leader for the Job Quality Fellowship Class of 2022-23

Fellows are innovative, forward-thinking, passionate about addressing the challenge of equity and inclusion, and committed to improving the quality of jobs.

Why Job Quality?
Blog Posts

Why Job Quality?

Job quality is essential to realizing the ideals of the American Dream, but today the US faces a job quality crisis: too many jobs are not quality jobs.

Upskilling in the News: Macy’s Launches Debt-Free Education Program, Raises Minimum Wage, and Expands Other Benefits
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Macy’s Launches Debt-Free Education Program, Raises Minimum Wage, and Expands Other Benefits

340,000 employees are eligible for debt-free assistance for select undergraduate degrees, certificates, and certifications on their first day of work.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

Digital Skills And The Latino Workforce Survey

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, October 2021
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, October 2021

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

Join Our Mailing List

To receive occasional emails about our work — including new publications, commentary, events, fellowships, and more — join our mailing list.

Connect on Social Media

For news and updates every day, connect with us on the social media platform of your choice.

More from the Economic Opportunities Program

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings
Publications

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

Placeholder
Podcasts Videos

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

This conversation is part of our Opportunity in America series, where we take a look at the economy, what’s working, what’s broken, and really how we fix it to make sure that everyone can succeed in today’s economy.

Resource Roundup: Wages and Affordability
Blog Posts
Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis
Publications

Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes
Podcasts Videos

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes

Economic security shouldn’t be a lottery. Yet for millions of working families, stagnant wages and precarious jobs collide with the daily grind of managing money on shaky ground — leaving stability feeling less like a plan and more like a gamble. Fixing that takes more than one lever. It takes structural reform and the tools people need to take control of their financial lives, working together.

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers
Publications

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

Insights from Focus Groups with Employee Owners